FISH have been embroiled in some frenzied spawning activity on still waters across the Vale of York this week.

If the annual nuptials are finished for the weekend fish are likely to be somewhat peckish after their exertions.

Reports indicate that it is mainly carp involved in breeding duties and as a result other species have come to the fore.

Some good bags of bream have been taken at Poppleton Ponds and Carpvale where worm or pellet have both accounted for their fair share of the fish. Tench are also showing well with plenty of tincas' on offer at Tollerton Ponds, Langwith Lakes and Poole Bridge Farm.

Amalgamation ponds don't attract as much publicity as the more commercial fisheries but can offer some brilliant sport in superior surroundings, and at a fraction of the cost.

One of my favourite ponds, at Claxton, has been fishing really well this week with loads of skimmers falling to bread punch on both ponds.

Some big carp have been hooked and lost by pleasure anglers but the monsters remain un-banked this week.

At Sand Hutton some quality tench have shown a liking for sweetcorn while in the same vicinity Park View Lake continues to fish well with mixed nets falling to pole and maggot and larger bream coming to the feeder and worm.

The Langwith complex is in good shape and things bode well for the upcoming Amalgamation matches that should attract a sell-out crowd to Marley Lake.

Most match anglers seem to favour a far bank approach but, under the less cluttered conditions of a mid-week pleasure session, fish can be tempted to feed close to the bank.

South of York, Burn Road pond has been coming up with goods in the shape of some quality roach and the occasional tench. Caster seems to the offering of choice whether fished on the pole or the waggler.

The Selby Canal fishery is also in top form with good catches of roach and skimmers coming from along its length. There are no match bookings on any of these Amalgamation fisheries this weekend.

Owners of the refurbished Conifer Lake at Allerthorpe, near Pocklington, are taking bookings for the 3.6 acre venue. For further information contact Keith Snaith on 07890 736814 or Andy Jackson on 07870 651797.